Editor's note: This story was updated May 25, 2025

KALONA

More than one year ago, Dwight Gingerich, the longtime boys basketball coach and school principal at Hillcrest Academy, and Mo, his wife, proudly stood on the basketball court at Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

It was Hall of Fame night in the middle of the state basketball tournament finals.

One of the arena’s seating sections was filled with Gingerich family members and friends.

Hillcrest (formerly Iowa Mennonite School) was the only high school Gingerich had ever coached at and Goshen College in Indiana was the only college he had coached at.

In July, Gingerich will return to Goshen as director of athletics and head men’s basketball coach, going back to the college where Mo graduated and their three children graduated.

“It has been the honor of my life to serve at IMS, now Hillcrest Academy,” Gingerich said in a statement. “I have been blessed with great teammates on our staff and amazing support from our school community. And now I’m truly excited for this new opportunity, and I look forward to how I can serve the Goshen College student-athletes and community as a leader and coach.”

Gingerich leaves behind a legacy of 43 years of coaching at Hillcrest and IMS and a win total of 759 that ranks fourth in Iowa high school history. It was in that moment last year at Wells Fargo Arena that he was inducted into the Iowa High School Basketball Hall of Fame.

“This honor is a reflection of all who have given so much over the last 40 years plus,” Gingerich told The News during his induction into the Hall of Fame. “I am grateful for each player that has come through our program, including those who laid the foundation early on. I have learned so much from them.”

Gingerich’s 1992 team at IMS won a state championship. IMS also was state runner-up in 1991, 1998, 2005 and 2007. His 2024-25 team won 21 games and reached a Class 1A substate final.

When the news of Gingerich’s job change hit social media last week, congratulatory messages popped up from all corners of the state.

Hillcrest now faces the task of not only replacing its legendary basketball coach, but also its school principal. Gingerich’s last official day is June 30.

Allison Goertz, Hillcrest Academy Board President, said in a letter to the Hillcrest community that an interim principal will serve during the 2025-26 school year while a permanent search takes place

“Although Dwight will be greatly missed, we know that Hillcrest has been built on a firm foundation of God’s love and guidance, and with all the wonderful teachers, staff, students and families who will continue to grow and thrive as the Hillcrest community,” Goertz said in a statement.

The legacy of Gingerich includes the gym floor at Hillcrest Union being named in his honor. It was there that he won his 700th career game in 2021. He is known by other coaches and basketball referees statewide. There are few Hillcrest athletic events and activities held that don’t include Gingerich watching as he chats with Raven parents and supporters.

More than 20 years have passed since Gingerich was an interim head coach at Goshen. In that one season, 2000-01, he was named conference co-coach of the year. He returned to IMS for the 2001-02 school year.

Goshen, an NAIA school that competes in the Crosslands League, won just five games this past season, but that was a three-year high.

“I am thrilled that Dwight will join the Goshen College community in these important leadership roles,” Goshen President Rebecca Stoltzfus said. “Dwight is exceptionally qualified for this dual role with a long and distinguished career that has demonstrated educational leadership and exceptionally competitive basketball coaching. He is fully committed to the student-athlete experience, creating a faith-based culture of excellence, and brings a combination of passion, composure and discipline.”

Gingerich earned his bachelor’s degree in health and physical education at Eastern Mennonite University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, and a master’s degree in counselor education at the University of Iowa. He has served on the Board of Directors at Hesston College, but his connection to Goshen includes his wife and his children going there.

“Our family loved our time at Goshen,” Gingerich said, “and I am very grateful to President Stoltzfus and the search committee for this opportunity to return. I am excited to lean into the college’s core values of Christ centeredness, passionate learning, servant leadership, compassionate peacemaking and global citizenship as we work together to grow Maple Leafs athletics.”